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WITH: APPENDIX. 



man^iKitt 



ATKINSON, N. H. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 



DELIVERED AT 



ATKINSON. N. H., 



Centennial Anniversary 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 

/ 

BY THE PASTOR, C. K MORSE. 




LAWRENCE, MASS.: 

GEO. S. MERRILL dr' CROCKER, PRINTERS. 
1875- 

T 



o\VA^ 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



"There shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told 

FOR A memorial OF HER." — Matt. 26: I3. 

The woman here spoken of was the modest and affec- 
tionate Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Moved 
by love, she annointed her Saviour with a fragrant and 
costly ointment. Some found fault. But the Saviour 
assured her and those around him, wherever the gospel 
should be preached throughout the whole world, " there 
shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a 
memorial of her." Her self-denial and love for her Saviour 
should be honorably mentioned in coming time throughout 
the world. The gospel forbids the worship of saints and 
heroes, but approves the honorable mention of the self- 
denial and virtuous deeds of the followers of Christ. 

We, Christian friends, have met together on this cen- 
tennial day of the organization of this church, to commem- 
orate the merciful dealings of God toward us, and to make 
honorable mention of the self-denials and virtuous deeds 
of those who founded it, built its meeting-houses, and sus- 
tained the preaching of the gospel during the century 
which this day closes. 

The clock of time has tolled off only eighteen such 
periods since the Son of God hallowed the earth with his 
sacred footsteps. Only one and a half additional such 
period this very month, carries us back to the time when 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



our Pilgrim Fathers, in great deprivation and peril, in 
order that they might enjoy religious freedom and be- 
queath this priceless boon to us, their children, were tossed 
upon the billows of the Atlantic. One additional such 
period carries us back to the time when the red man of 
the forest erected his wigwam, perhaps on the very spot 
where we are now assembled. One-half century previous 
to the formation of this church there was not a single 
white inhabitant within the present limits of this town. 
And what a contrast with the present! Then, five or six 
weeks of uncomfortable sailing were necessary to make a 
voyage to Europe ; now, palatial steamers traverse the 
distance in ten or twelve days. Then, it took five or six 
weeks to send intelligence from London to Boston ; now, 
important news reaches us before the hour on which it 
was dated. Then, no swift car brought together the min- 
isters for the council. It was only the very year that this 
church was organized that the first stage coach in America 
commenced running, and that was between Boston and 
Providence, when it took two days to traverse the distance 
of forty-one miles. The fear of the Indians had hardly 
died away. The trials of the revolutionary war soon 
commenced, and the depreciation of currency must have 
made it exceedingly difficult for the people to bear the 
necessary expenses of supporting the gospel. These were 
times that tried men's souls. 

Atkinson originally was a part of Haverhill, which was 
settled in 1640. It comprises a portion of the territory 
conveyed to the inhabitants of Pentucket (now Haverhill) 
by the Indians, Passaquo and Saggahew, with the consent 
of their chief, Passaconnaway, by their deed, now in exis- 
tence, dated Nov. 15, 1642. No settlement was made till 
eighty-five years later, when, in 1727 or 1728, Benjamin 
Richards, of Rochester, N. H., Johnathan and Edmund 
Page and John Dow from Haverhill, moved into the 
present limits of the town. When the dividing line be- 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 5 

tween New Hampshire and Massachusetts was settled, 
Atkinson, then a part of Plaistow, was assigned to New 
Hampshire. Plaistow was incorporated Feb. 28, 1749. 
The distance of the meeting-house and its incapacity to 
accommodate all the inhabitants, led to the separation of 
Atkinson from Plaistow, Aug. 31, 1767, and it was incor- 
porated by the Legislature, Sept. 3, of the same year. 
It was named in honor of Hon. Theodore Atkinson, then 
a resident of Portsmouth. He was a member and Presi- 
dent of the Provincial Council, Chief Justice, and possessed 
a large landed estate in the town known as the "Atkinson 
farm." 

Atkinson, though small in territory, and its population 
never exceeding 600, is " beautiful for situation," and its 
prospect in every direction extensive and pleasing. The 
land gradually rises. Five miles to the south-east, Haver- 
hill and Bradford, with their beautiful churches, are spread 
out as a panorama before our vision. On a clear day, 
Andover, with its seminaries of learning, and the steeples 
of the churches in Newburyport can be seen. The rays 
of the sun, reflected from the ocean, sometimes greet us. 
In the verdure of spring and the varied hues of autumn 
such an extensive landscape is charming. 

The increase of population from the first settlement of 
the town was rapid. In 1775, three years after the forma- 
tion of the church, it numbered 575, — more than the aver- 
age from that time to the present.* 

The town extended a call to Mr. Stephen Peabody, P'eb. 
26, 1772, and voted to give him " 160 pounds lawful money, 
as a settlement, upon condition that the salary begin 66;C 
13s. and 4 pence lawful money the first year, and add on 
40 shillings per year till it amount to 80 pounds per year." 

*By the United States census, the population of Atkinson was as follows : 
1790, 479 1820, 563 1850, 600 

1800, 474 1830, 555 i860, 546 

1810, 556 1840, 567 1870, 488 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



They also voted to give him " ten cords of wood per 
year as long as he carry on the work of the ministry in 
Atkinson." Mr. Peabody accepted and was ordained the 
25th of Nov., 1772, the day we celebrate, at which time 
the chnrch was organized at the house of Mr. Samuel Lit- 
tle, the grandfather of Capt. Enoch Little, who resides in 
a house erected on the original site. There were nine- 
teen members : Rev. Stephen Peabody, pastor ; Tristram 
Knight, the great grandfather of Dea. Bailey Knight ; 
Benjamin Richards, one of the original settlers of the 
town, and Abigail, his wife ; John Webster ; Abel Merrill, 
the father of Dea. John Merrill, and Ruth, his wife ; Na- 
thaniel Cogswell, the grandfather of the present Cogswell 
family, and Judith, his wife ; Daniel Poor, the great grand- 
father of Jeremiah Poor, and Abigail, his wife ; Stephen 
Dole, and Mary, his wife ; Jonathan Sawyer, and Eliza- 
beth, his wife ; Nathaniel Knight, who was chosen the first 
deacon, and Abigail, his wife ; Eldad Ingals, and Sarah, 
the wife of John Knight, who was the grandmother of 
Dea. Bailey Knight. There were but eighteen persons 
besides the pastor, ten men and eight women. How 
greatly are the church and town indebted to these faithful, 
self-denying, original members of the church. May their 
memory and influence never cease. 

The covenant of the church, which was adopted at its 
organization, and which is given in the manual of the 
church, was evangelical, recognizing the existence of God 
in three persons, man's inability, and dependence upon 
God's method of reconciliation. After the Unitarian 
controversy, and previous to the death of Mr. Peabody, a 
briefer covenant, more distinctly recognizing the divinity 
of Christ, was used. There is no record of the adoption 
of this covenant, nor of the covenant itself. It was lost 
while Rev. Stephen Farley was acting pastor. After the 
loss of this covenant, the church used the covenant of the 
church in Dedham, of which Rev. William Cogswell was 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



pastor, till the adoption of the present Articles of Faith 
and Covenant in 1864. A creed is to a church what 
ballast is to a ship. And there can be no doubt that much 
of the prosperity, if not the very existence of this church, 
is, in a great measure, owing to the evangelical creed 
which it has always held. 

Rev. Stephen Peabody. 

On this day of commemoration, the pastors that have 
ministered to the church are deserving of special remem- 
brance. The first pastor was Rev. Stephen Peabody. He 
was a native of North Andover, Mass. ; born Nov. 1 1 , 
1742, and graduated at Harvard College in 1769. In 
procuring his education he was mainly dependent upon 
his own efforts, and aided himself by waiting upon the 
students, a custom then prevailing. In person, Mr. Pea- 
body, or, as he was more commonly called. Sir Peabody 
or Parson Peabody, was commanding. He was full six 
feet high, well proportioned, and distinguished for physical 
strength. His complexion was dark, his eyes black, and 
his hair bushy and curling. During his ministry he wore 
the usual ministerial dress of the times, which is thus 
described by Dr. Samuel Oilman : " A three-cornered 
beaver hat, a large single-breasted coat sweeping down on 
each side with an ample curve, a vest full twice the length 
of these degenerate days, ending on both sides with large 
pockets and lappets, a snow-white plaited stock; his nether 
garments terminated at his knees and fastened with white 
silver buckles, and long black silk stockings extending 
from the knee to the foot, and shining square buckled 
shoes." In such a dress he must have presented a stately 
appearance, and had it not been for his benignant counte- 
nance and courteous manners, he must have awed the 
youthful part of his parish. His musical powers were 
extraordinary. Sacred music was his delight, but he 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



could sing with perfect taste "the delightful old anthems 
of Arne or Purcell, or from the oratorios of Handel." In 
his rides about town, the solitudes and woods were made 
to echo with his melodious voice. When he had arisen in 
the morning and built the fires, except on Sabbath morn- 
ings, he would awake the sleepers of his household by 
singing up stairs and down, "The bright rosy morning 
peeps o'er the hills," or some other stirring song. When 
there was no chorister, he himself would lead the music. 
On one of these occasions it is said, a little dog which he 
had trained at home in singing a duet, and which, unbe- 
known to the family, had followed them to church, joined 
with his master in singing, to the great amusement of the 
audience. Besides vocal music, he was skillful in playing 
the violin and bass viol. 

As a preacher, he possessed fair talents ; on funeral 
occasions he was peculiarly impressive and tender, his own 
tears often leading the way for the tears of others. On 
these occasions his favorite hymn was " Hark ! from the 
tomb a doleful sound." • His extraordinary social qualities 
made him a favorite at weddings. While he would not be 
called a man of pre-eminent piety or a doctrinal preacher, 
there is evidence that he was evangelical in faith and a 
truly godly man. The statement of Dr. Gilman that he 
was " an inveterate Arminian, showing no mercy to Cal- 
vinism," and that later in life " he advanced still farther 
into what is denominated Liberal Christianity," is not 
borne out by testimony. It is reported from Dea. William 
Page that Mr. Peabody said that if he " were cast upon 
a solitary island and could have but two books, these would 
be the Bible and Edwards on the Affections." Surely no 
one who took real pleasure in studying Edwards on the 
Affections could be called an Arminian. At the installa- 
tion of Rev. Josiah Webster, over the church in Hampton, 
N. H., in 1808, Mr. Peabody preached a truly evangelical 
sermon from the text : "/ dctennincd not to know anything 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



amo7ig you save Jesus Christ and him cmcifiedr i Cor. 2:2. 
On the same occasion he gave the charge, the following 
extracts from which show clearly his evangelical views : 
" Preach not yourself, but Jesus Christ the Lord. Repre- 
sent to your hearers the absolute necessity of regeneration, 
of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ. Bear an open testimony against those tenets 
which induce men to depend for salvation upon their own 
works ; on the other hand, point out the danger of a dead 
faith. Oppose the modern, prevailing opinion that all 
mankind will at last be saved : it is an unfounded, danger- 
ous sentiment, and can in no view be advantageous, but is 
pernicious to society." The covenant also of the church, 
prepared doubtless by him, and used during the latter part 
of his ministry, distinctly acknowledges the supreme 
authority of the scriptures and the Divinity of Christ. 
Besides his influence as a minister, he was a patron of 
learning. He took a very active part in founding Atkin- 
son Academy, and doubtless it owes its origin and con- 
tinued existence more to him than to any other one indi- 
vidual. In the original act of incorporation it is stated: 
" Whereas the Rev. Stephen Peabody and others have pe- 
titioned the general court, praying that an Academy may 
be established in the town of Atkinson." From this it is 
evident that he was one of the principal actors in securing 
its establishment. When the present building was erected 
after the burning of the first, its expense was $2,500. Of 
;^400 subscribed, he paid $100, and subsequently when the 
institution was in danger of being suspended by legal pro- 
ceedings, he nobly and heroically assumed the whole 
responsibility ; and afterwards when it became necessary 
to pay the debt, he paid seven-eighths of the whole, and 
Esquire Vose, the preceptor, one of Atkinson's noblest 
citizens, paid the other eighth. The paying of this debt 
bore heavily upon these noble men for fifteen years before 
it was refunded, which was done only about a year before 



lO HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

Mr. Peabody's death. Notwithstanding this embarrass- 
ment, Mr. Peabody always had a word of cheer and a 
helping hand for all who sought his assistance in pro- 
curing an education. Atkinson can never forget its obli- 
gations to its first pastor, and especially should all graduates 
of Atkinson Academy honor and revere the name of Rev. 
Stephen Peabody. 

From the /^i6o settlement and his salary, Mr. Peabody 
erected in the beginning of his ministry an elegant house 
on one of the most commanding and eligible sites in 
Atkinson. After his death it was sold to Dr. Isaac B. 
Hovey, whose second wife. Mrs. Elizabeth Hovey now 
occupies it. In front of it, Mr. Peabody with his own 
hand, aided by Joseph Richards, then a lad, set out three 
elm trees two rods apart, which now are over three feet 
in diameter, and doubtless at the end of another century 
will mark the place where stood the residence of the first 
minister of Atkinson. It is an interesting circumstance 
that the daughter of Mr. Richards, who aided Mr. Peabody 
in planting these beautiful elms, subsequently became the 
first Mrs. Hovey, and sat under their shade, a forcible 
illustration of the good which we do to others returning 
upon ourselves. 

Mr. Peabody was aided in his work by two excellent 
wives. The first wife was Miss Polly Haseltine, of Brad- 
ford, aunt of the distinguished teacher of that name, and 
also of the first Mrs. Judson. He married soon after his 
settlement, Jan. 19, 1773. He had two children: Stephen, 
born Oct 6, 1773, and Mary, born Feb. 15, 1775, who 
married Hon. Stephen Peabody Webster, of Haverhill, 
N. H. Mrs. Peabody deceased Sept. 17, 1793, aged 51. 
She was a prudent woman, who "looked well to the ways 
of her household." After her death, Mr. Peabody visited 
Rev. John Shaw, of Haverhill, Mass , when Mr. Shaw ad- 
vised him to marry. He replied, " I would if I could find 
as good a wife as you have." Not long after, Mr. Shaw 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. II 

died, and Mr. Peabody married his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Shaw, who was the daughter of Rev. WilHam Smith, of 
Weymouth, Mass., and sister of the wife of John Adams, 
the second President of the United States, and also sister 
of the wife of Judge Richard Cranch, who died in Ouincy, 
Mass., Oct. 1 6, 1811, and who was the father of Judge 
William Cranch, of Washington, D. C. She was a woman 
of superior talents and refinement, a devoted Christian, 
and faithful wife. Her death was sudden. On Saturday 
she sent into Esquire Vose's to borrow the first volume of 
Scott's Commentaries, saying she meant to read the Bible 
through with the comments. But early next morning, 
Mr. and Mrs. Vose were called in to see her die. Her 
sudden death should be a warning to all to be ready when- 
ever the messenger of death shall call. She was born 
April 7, 1750, and died April 9, 181 5, aged 65. She left 
three children by her first husband, a son and two 
daughters, one of whom married Joseph B. Felt, LL. D., 
of Boston, Mass. She had no children by Mr. Peabody. 
Mr. Peabody continued in the pastoral office till his death, 
which occurred May 23, 18 19, in the seventy-eighth year 
of his age. On his tombstone are the following words •_ 
" He was ordained the first minister in this town, Nov. 25, 
1772, and until his death sustained the office with dignity, 
possessed the love and confidence of his people, and 
ardently sought the interests of his charge and mankind. 
He was a man of good talents, a sound divine, a faithful 
minister, and a Christian in word and deed. He was to 
his loss, the friend of those in distress, the patron of merit 
and literature." His portrait and that of the second Mrs. 
Peabody are to be seen in the Academy library. During 
the forty-six years of his ministry, seventy-five persons 
united with the church besides the nineteen original 
members. He married 313 couples, and baptized 140 
children and adults. 



12 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



Rev. Jacob Cummings. 

After the death of Mr. Peabody the church remained 
for nearly thirteen years without a settled pastor. During 
this time the pulpit was supplied by different individuals, 
but mainly by Revs. Jacob Cummings and Stephen Far- 
ley, teachers in the Academy. Mr. Cummings was a na- 
tive of Warren, Mass., a graduate of Dartmouth College 
in 1819, and Andover in 1822, when he became teacher in 
the Academy for two years and supplied the desk. He is 
spoken of as a good man and faithful preacher. April 28, 
1824, Mr. Cummings was ordained over the church in 
Stratham, where he labored for eleven years with success, 
42 persons uniting with the church. For thirteen years, 
from 1843 to 1856, he was pastor of the church at Hills- 
boro Bridge. In 1856, he removed to Exeter, where he 
continued without charge till his death, which occurred 
June 20, 1866, in the seventy-third year of his age. He 
was a successful and useful man. 



Rev. Stephen Farley. 

After Mr. Cummings. Rev. Stephen Farley taught the 
Academy and supplied the pulpit for seven or eight years. 
He was a native of HoUis and a graduate of Dartmouth 
in 1 804. He was a kind and gentlemanly man and a pop- 
ular preacher. From 1806 to 1818 he was pastor of the 
church in Claremont, where the meeting-house was en- 
larged to accommodate the audience. During the twelve 
years of his ministry in that place, 94 persons were re- 
ceived into the church, 49 of whom were received during 
an extensive revival in 18 16, which was commenced and 
carried on mainly by others. During this revival he made 
public confession of his fear that he did not possess real 
spiritual life. After this revival, the people having fears 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. I 3 



in regard to his orthodoxy, he resigned his charge. His 
experience in Atkinson was similar to that in Claremont. 
The revival in 1826 commenced in the Academy. He 
did not oppose it, but appointed meetings and aided it. 
But he did not seem to be at home in a revival. From 
various causes, his theological views become unsettled, 
and after leaving Atkinson he became a Unitarian. And 
though in the early part of his ministry at Claremont he 
published two sermons against Universalism, after his 
change of views he sometimes preached for that denomi- 
nation. But he was too spiritually minded to be popular 
either with the Unitarians or Universalists, and there can 
be but little doubt that he was a real Christian. He was a 
man of more than ordinary talent, and under favoring cir- 
cumstances might have taken a high position. And on 
this centennial day we cannot think of this amiable and 
scholarly man, who preached seven years to this church, 
his wife sometimes deranged and his theological views 
unsettled, without feelings of sadness. We trust he is 
now in a better world with all doubts removed, and he 
rejoicing with many who united with the church under 
his ministry. He died at Amesbury, Mass., Sept. 20, 
185 1, aged 71. During the thirteen years which inter- 
vened between the death of Mr. Peabody and the settle- 
ment of Mr. Spofford, 42 persons united with the church. 



Rev. Luke A. Spofford. 

Feb. 28, 1832, the church gave a call to Rev. Luke A. 
Spofford, who accepted and was installed on the i8th of 
April following. Mr. Spofford was a native of Jaffrey, a 
graduate of Middlebury College, Vt., in 18 15, and studied 
theology with Dr. Payson, of Ringe. From 18 19 to 1825 
he was pastor of the church in Gilmanton ; from 1826 to 



14 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

1829, of the church in Brentwood ; and of the church in 
Lancaster from 1829 to 1 831, when he was settled here. 
He was dismissed at his own request, Jan. 20, 1834. For 
two years after, he was pastor of the church in Scituate, 
Mass., when he removed to Amherst, Mass., that he might 
better educate his two sons, Richard Cecil and Henry 
Martyn. Cecil, a young man of great promise, died soon 
after graduating ; the other is Hon. Henry M. Spofford, 
of Pulaski, Tenn. After leaving Amherst he was pastor 
of the church in Chilmark, N. H., when he removed to 
Indiana and died at Rockville, Oct. 10, 1855. During the 
two years he was in Atkinson there was a revival. He 
was a doctrinal preacher, " rigidly orthodox and strong on 
election," which he often preached. He was peculiarly 
adapted to indoctrinate churches, and we can but regard 
it as an overruling providence that he was sent to this 
place after the mild and somewhat unorthodox ministry of 
Mr. Farley. In person, he was tall, straight, and of light 
complexion, social with his friends, and a model father. 
He died in debt to the New Hampshire Home Missionary 
Society $250, the amount of a legacy to the Society by 
his father, but his son, Hon. H. M. Spofford, during the 
past year paid the debt, with interest, amounting to nearly 
$700. Ten persons united with the church during his 
ministry of two years. 

Rev. Samuel Tolman. 

Less than a month after the resignation of Mr. Spofford, 
"the Congregational Society in Atkinson was formed" — 
Feb. 19, 1834. The following year the present house of 
worship was erected. After the erection of the church, 
Rev. Samuel H. Tolman supplied the pulpit till July 5, 
1837, when he was installed and continued till Oct. 29, 
1839. He was a native of Dorchester, Mass., and a grad- 
uate of Dartmouth in 1806. He first studied medicine. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 1 5 

the profession of his father, but becoming pious, he studied 
theology with Rev. John M. Whiton, D. D., of Antrim* 
N. H., and entered the ministry. When he came to 
Atkinson he had been twenty-two years in the ministry, 
eight of which (from 1828 to 1836) were spent at So. Mer- 
rimac, where there were two precious revivals, and the 
church increased from eighteen to eighty members. After 
he left here he preached five years (from June, 1839, ^o 
April, 1844) at Lempster, where there was also a revival, 
and thirty-five added to the church. During his first year 
here (1838), four united with the church. The following 
year there was a revival, and thirteen more were received. 
During the three years and a half of his ministry, thirty- 
two persons were received, a gi"eater number, according to 
the time, than that of any other ministry here. The revi- 
vals experienced under his ministry show that he was a 
godly man, and a successful minister. After forty years 
of ministerial labor, he returned to Atkinson, April, 1854, 
to spend the evening of his days. He continued in active 
sympathy and co-operation with the church and its min- 
ister till his death, which occured April 2, 1856, in the 
seventy-fifth year of his age, and his remains repose in 
yonder grave yard. Rev. Samuel H. Tolman, of Lenox, 
Mass., formerly of Wilmington, in the same State, is his 
son. His youngest daughter, Harriet, married Rev. 
Charles Secombe, now of Francestown, N. H. 



Rev. Samuel Pierce. 

After Mr. Tolman, Rev. Messrs. Mitchell, Deming, 
Parsons, of Oberlin, and others supplied the desk for 
about three years. In 1842, Rev Samuel Pierce com- 
menced preaching, and about a year later, April 19, 1843, 
was ordained as pastor. Mr. Pierce was son of Capt. 
Samuel Pierce, of Haverhill, Mass., and great-grandson of 



l6 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

Nathaniel Peaslee, Esq., of the same place. He graduated 
at Dartmouth in 1835, ^^^^ 3-^ Andover in 1840. He died 
less than a year after his ordination, March 27, 1844, at 
the age of twenty-seven. He lived and died in the family 
of Hon. John Vose, and was buried in Atkinson burying 
ground, where stones, erected to his memory by Mrs. 
Judith Cogswell, mark his resting place. He was much 
respected and beloved. 



Rev. Jesse Page. 

After the death of Mr. Pierce, Rev. Norman Hazen and 
others supplied the desk till June, 1845, when Rev. Jesse 
Page commenced supplying the pulpit. He was a gradu- 
ate of Dartmouth College in 1831, of Andover Theologi- 
cal Seminary in 1835, S-^^d was pastor of the Congrega- 
tional church, North Andover, Mass., from September, 
1835, to June, 1843. He continued as acting pastor here 
for 24 years till March, 1869, when by reason of sickness 
which affected his lungs, he was obliged to cease minis- 
terial labor. During his ministry there were three precious 
revivals : one in 185 i, when seven united with the church; 
one in J855, when sixteen were added, and another in 1863, 
when seventeen were received, — forty in all. Besides 
these, there were many conversions of students who unit- 
ed elsewhere, and are now filling places of usefulness and 
honor. Mr. Page also prepared the present excellent arti- 
cles of faith and covenant, and church manual. By his in- 
fluence abroad and efforts at home he has done much to 
promote the prosperity of the academy and church. He 
is still spared to be with us on this centennial day, aiding 
and benefiting us by his co-operation and counsels. The 
whole number received during the twenty-four years of his 
ministry was lOi. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. I 7 



Rev. Charles F. Morse. 

After the failure of Mr. Page's health, the pulpit was 
supplied for about three years by students from Andover 
Theological Seminary. June, 22, 1872, Rev. C. F. Morse 
commenced supplying the pulpit, and was installed pastor 
of the church, Sept. 17, of the same year. Mr. Morse is 
a native of Salem, Vt., the seventh in direct line from 
Anthony Morse, who settled in Newbury, Mass., in 1635. 
He is a graduate of Amherst College in 1853, and of 
Andover Theological Seminary in 1856. He sailed as a 
missionary to Turkey, Jan. 5, 1857, and returned to this 
country, June 30, 1870. He labored among the Bulga- 
rians of European Turkey. 

During the one hundred years which closes to-day, fifty 
years, eight months and eight days, the church has had 
settled pastors ; about thirty-four years, acting pastors ; 
and sixteen years, supplies by various individuals. It is 
said the church has never been without religious services ; 
when there has been no minister, services have been con- 
ducted by members of the church. During the greater 
part of the time from the death of Mr. Peabody till the 
coming of Mr. Page, the church received aid from the 
N. H. Home Missionary Society. The whole number of 
members during the hundred years, including the nineteen 
original members, is 289. The present number is eighty. 



The Cogswell Family. 

Besides the ministers, there are others who have done 
much to promote the welfare and prosperity of the church. 
Prominent among these has been the Cogswell family. 
Nathaniel Cogswell, who had been a merchant thirty or 
forty years in the adjoining town of Haverhill, moved into 
Atkinson in 1766, two years before the incorporation of 



I 8 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

the town. Religious services were held in his house, pre- 
vious to the erection of the first church. He also gave 
the land for the church so long as it should be used for 
that purpose. He and his wife were among the nineteen 
original members. 

He was the father of nineteen children, eight of whom 
entered the service of their country during the Revolu- 
tionary War, and performed, it is said, thirty-eight years 
of service, a greater amount, it is believed, than was per- 
formed by any other family in the country. And, what is 
remarkable, these sons all survived the war, and became 
honored citizens of the country they had fought to free. 
One of them was Dr. William Cogswell, a Hospital Sur- 
geon in the army of the Revolution. He was born in 
Haverhill, Mass., July 1 1, 1760, and died at Atkinson, Jan. 
I, 183 I. From 1810 to the time of his death, he was an 
active member of the church, and his wife, Mrs. Judith 
Badger Cogswell, who united with the church at the same 
time with her husband, continued an active, earnest mem- 
ber, distinguished for benevolence and warm friendship for 
her pastor, till the time of her death, Sept. 30, 1859, i" the 
ninety-fourth year of her age. She gave the present com- 
munion table and the chairs beside it, and, in 1845, the 
bell, which weighs 1300 pounds and cost about $300. Dr. 
Cogswell also gave the baptismal basin. He was one of 
the first trustees of Atkinson Academy, and for many 
years president of the board of trustees. But the greatest 
usefulness of this honored couple was the rearing and ed- 
ucating of a family of nine children, eight of whom lived 
to grow up and fill places of honor and usefulness in the 
church and in society. The eldest of these was Rev. Wil- 
liam Cogswell, D. D., who received religious impressions 
while attending the academy under the instruction of Hon. 
John Vose. These impressions ripened into active Chris- 
tian life while in Dartmouth College, and he wrote home 
stirring letters to his parents and relatives, and Sept. 23, 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. I9 

1 8 10, he united with the church in Atkinson, on the same 
day with his parents and two sisters, Julia and Hannah 
P., and received baptism with all his brothers and sisters, 
nine in number, from Mr. Peabody. He was pastor of the 
church in Dedham fourteen years, from 1815 to 1829, and 
Agent and Secretary of the Education Society from Aug. 
20, 1829 to April 14, 1 84 1. Afterwards he was Professor 
of history and national education in Dartmouth College, 
and president and professor in Gilmanton Theological 
Seminary. He died at Gilmanton, Apr. i8, 1850, in the 
sixty-third vear of his age. He was the author of " Let- 
ters to Young Men," "The Assistant to Family Religion," 
" The Christian Philanthropist, or Harbinger of the Mil- 
lennium," and " The Theological Class Book." A copy of 
this last, perhaps the most useful, through the liberality of 
his brother, Francis Cogswell, Esq., of Andover, Mass., has 
been placed in each family in the town. He advised and 
encouraged the church to erect its present house of wor- 
ship and solicited funds to aid them. He laid the corner 
stone at sunrise on the Fourth of July, 1835, when the 
emotions of his heart filled his eyes with tears. His wife 
composed the original hymn sung at the dedication. Fran- 
cis Cogswell, besides the liberality above mentioned, was 
the first to deposit, April 17, 1871, one thousand dollars 
in the Haverhill Savings Bank, in Haverhill, Mass., toward 
a permanent memorial fund, the interest of which should 
be expended under the direction of this church in the sup- 
port of preaching and sustaining the Gospel ministry in 
Atkinson.* He also gave the Bible and hymn book for 
the pulpit, and the two large chairs by the side of it. Rev, 
Nathaniel Cogswell, of Yarmouth, Mass., and Dr. George 
Cogswell, of Bradford, Mass., two other brothers, have 
each given a thousand dollars for the same object as that 
above mentioned. Joseph B. Cogswell, of this town, an- 
other brother, gave the land upon which the church is 

*See Appendix, A. 



20 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

erected, and July 4, 1870, he wrote his brother, Francis, 
asking him if he would not contribute toward a fund for 
the church, and it is said he has remembered the church 
in his will, to an amount equal to that of his brothers. 
Thus from the first establishment of this church to the 
present time and onward, it has been and will be under 
great obligations to the Cogswell family. May their prayers 
accompany their beneficence and prove the means of 
spiritual blessings to unnumbered souls. 



The Page Family. 

Among the original settlers of the town were Jonathan 
and Edmund Page, from Haverhill, Mass. Edmund Page 
was born Nov. 7, 1709, and died Aug. 15, 1768, four years 
before the organization of the church. His third son, 
Capt. Jesse Page, who served in the Revolutionary war, 
was born Feb. 16, 1740 or 1741. He united with the 
church June 11, 1780, and was distinguished for piety. 
His oldest son was Col. William Page, who united with 
the church, Nov. 29, iSoi, and was elected deacon, Dec. 
29, 181 7, which office he held till his death, Sept. 13, 1847- 
The oldest son of Col. William Page was Rev. Jesse Page, 
who for twenty-four years, nearly one-fourth of the time 
we this day commemorate, has been your acting pastor. 
He suggested and has urged the necessity of an endow- 
ment of the church, not only as essential for its own pros- 
perity, but also as a necessary preparation for the pros- 
perity and success of the Academy, and deposited the 
second thousand dollars toward this endowment. Another 
son was Rev. W^illiam Page, who for more than twenty 
years was a faithful, judicious and earnest minister of the 
gospel. He died Oct. 18, 1861. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 21 



Hon. John Vose. 

No one can study the history either of the church or 
Academy in Atkinson, without being impressed with the 
wide-spread and salutary influence of Hon. John Vose. 
He was a native of Bedford; born July lo, 1766. He 
fitted for college at Atkinson Academy, and boarded in 
the family of Rev. Mr. Peabod^. The city boys, who 
boarded in the same family, at first were disposed to make 
fun of the youth in homespun. But Mr. Peabody told 
them, " If I mistake not, that young man will outstrip you 
all." A prediction which proved true. He graduated 
with honor at Dartmouth College in 1795, and immedi- 
ately became preceptor of the Academy, and continued 
its honored and distinguished instructor for twenty-one 
years. He was preceptor of Pembroke Academy for 
eleven years, and returned to Atkinson in 183 i. To no 
other instructor is Atkinson Academy so greatly indebted. 
He nobly paid one-eighth of the debt which was likely to 
suspend the institution. While in Pembroke he was 
chosen Representative to the General Court, and si*bse» 
q uoB 44y State Senator while in Atkinson. It was while he 
was a member of the Senate that the famous action of the 
Legislature, reversing the charter of Dartmouth College 
occurred. Mr. Vose courageously told the majority; 
"you may decide this case as you please, but you will find 
that higher powers will reverse your decision." This was 
the case in which Daniel Webster so highly distinguished 
himself in the Supreme Court of the United States, when 
the decision of the State was reversed. Considering this 
was a complicated case, without precedent in law, Mr. 
Vose's declaration shows him to have been a man of 
unusually clear and logical mind. He was the author of 
two works on Astronomy, a large and a small. He united 



22 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

with the church in Atkinson, July 20, 1806, and ever after 
was an active, consistent Christian. He was chosen 
deacon previous to his removal to Pembroke, and again 
on his return. He died May 3, 1840, aged 73. He is 
said to have been "one of the best of men," leaving 
behind him but few superiors, and not many equals." 
Though his means were limited, he contributed to every 
good enterprise, and trained up his family to give sys- 
tematically. His wife, Mrs. Lydia (Webster) Vose, from 
West Haverhill, Mass., the sister of Hon. Stephen Peabody 
Webster, of Haverhill, in this State, was well qualified to 
be his companion. Naturally gay and high-spirited, she 
experienced religion after the death of her " Little Mary," 
and united with the church at the same time with her 
husband, and ever after was a most earnest, active, and 
consistent Christian. Before the Sabbath School was 
established, she had a gathering of children and youth on 
Saturday at her own house, when she imparted to them 
religious instruction. It has been said but few have been 
so ready to forego their own interests to promote the gen- 
eral welfare, as Mrs. Vose. Her influence is still felt by the 
church. Let her memory be cherished. 

Among those who united with the church, May 3, 1839, 
were Mr. Ebenezer Todd and his wife, Betsey Todd. Two 
of their sons graduated at Dartmouth College. One of 
them, William C. Todd, for six years was a successful pre- 
ceptor of the Academy, and has generously contributed 
toward the erection of the new parsonage. 



Deacons and others. 

There have been eleven deacons. The first deacon was 
Nathaniel Knight from Newbury, Mass., one of the original 
members of the church, chosen July 15, 1773. He was 
grandfather of John Kelly, Esq. He was a noted singer 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 2$ 

and is said to have deaconed off the hymns. He died in 
1776. His brother, Joseph Knight, five years his senior, 
was chosen Nov. 19, 1779, and held the office thirty-seven 
years, till Feb. 2, 18 16. He was grandfather of Deacon 
Daniel Knight, and also of the late Deacon Knight, of 
Portsmouth, husband of Mrs. Helen C. Knight. The third 
was Benjamin Hale, elected Dec. 3, 1780, and died Dec. 4, 
1 78 1. He lived on the east road, and was the grandfather 
of Messrs. Josiah and Moses L. Hale, of Newburyport, 
Mass., who, with other members of the family have con- 
tributed liberally towards the erection of the church and 
parsonage. John Merrill, elected Nov. 5, 1783, and died 
in office, Jan. 1 1, 1797. Hon. John Vose, elected Dec. 21, 
18 1 7, held the office twelve years. Col. William Page, 
elected Dec. 29, 1817, died in office, Sept. 13, 1847. Jo- 
siah Grover was elected June i, 1820, and resigned Sept. 
20, 1836. Moses Dow, 2d, elected May 22, 1840, continued 
in office till his death, Dec. 26, 1868. He was great grand- 
son of John Dow, one of the original settlers of the town, 
from Haverhill, Mass. Dea. Franklin Gilbert was elected 
at the same time with Mr. Dow. Dea. Bailey Knight and 
Dea. Daniel Knight were elected March 4, 1870. 

The records show that among the members of the 
church for the century there have been thirty-seven 
Knights, seventeen Dows, sixteen Littles and nine Noyeses. 
Among the latter have been four sisters who have sung 
in the choir more than thirty years each, and one of them, 
Mrs. Dea. Gilbert, was in the choir more than forty years. 
Another of these sisters, Mrs. Eliza W. Noyes, recently 
deceased, has given $200, the interest of which is to be 
devoted to the support of preaching. Many others might 
be mentioned. Many noble deeds of self-denial have been 
done, especially by the ladies. Perhaps some persons, 
who have been able to contribute but their mite, have 
done more to promote the welfare of the church than some 
who have acted a more prominent part. And He who 



24 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

will not allow a cup of cold water given in His name to go 
unrewarded, will reward and honor all at the great day 
according to their love and devotion. 



The Churches. 

Notwithstanding the reason assigned for the separation 
of the town from Plaistow, was the better accommodation 
of its inhabitants with religious privileges, at their first 
meeting, Nov. 3, 1767, they refused to build a meeting 
house. But on the 29th of March, 176S, the town "voted 
to build a meatting house." " Voted that the plase between 
Left. Johnathan Pages and John Dows, the easternly most 
nole, 01^ the North side of the way be the Plase to set the 
Meatting house." "Voted that the Meatting house Be Built 
By subscription by those that have a min to and take the 
pew ground for there pay." The town appointed no build- 
ing committee, but those interested evidently had a meet- 
ing, and appointed a committee, which, from the deeds for 
the pew ground, appears to have been composed of the 
following persons, viz.: "Samuel Little, John Knight and 
John Ingalls, gentleman ; Thomas Noyes, John Dow, 
Moses Kelly and Benjamin Hale, yeomen." This com- 
mittee apparently commenced their preparations for build- 
ing, but there was dissatisfaction in regard to its location, 
and a town meeting was warned for July 18, when it was 
"Voted to reconsider the vote of March 29; but being 
unable to agree, " Voted not to fix the place at this meet- 
ing." Meanwhile the Committee put up the frame on the 
original site, but felt unable to finish, and in the warrant 
for a town meeting, Oct. 18, an article was inserted "To 
choose a committee to sell the pew ground in said Meet- 
ing house frame at a vendue to obtain money for finishing 
said house." This article was voted down. But the Com- 
mittee seem to have succeeded in completing the building 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 2$ 

during the winter and spring following. For, " on the 
1 8 of Dec. A. Domini 1769, in the tenth year of His Maj- 
esty's reign," they deeded to James Noyes " five feet 
square for a pew ground," but as it was designated as 
being between the pews of John Ingalls and Joseph 
French, it is evident that other pews had been previously 
sold. This pew ground was deeded for " five pounds law- 
ful money." 

The building seems to have been patterned after Noah's 
Ark. As nearly as can be ascertained, it was forty by 
fifty feet, without a steeple, the ridge-pole running east 
and west, while the pulpit was on the north side. It was 
entered by three doors, one on each end and one on the 
south side opposite the pulpit. A row of box pews went 
round the sides and in the centre were two rows of pews 
on each side of the broad aisle, five feet by seven and a 
half, except the east row, which was divided into three 
pews on each side. The seats turned up, and when let 
down at the close of prayers, produced a clatter which 
would have astonished modern ears. It had a high box 
pulpit with sounding board perched high over head, which 
at the present day might excite fears for the safety of the 
minister. There were galleries on three sides. It was 
situated east of the burying ground and north of the road 
leading to Hampstead. In this building, without carpets 
or fire, excepting the few last years, did our fathers wor- 
ship for sixty-six years, till the present house was erected 
in 1835. It was taken down in 1845. To the aged part 
of the community this house must have had most sacred 
associations. In it their fathers worshiped. In it they 
were consecrated to God. In it they first attended church, 
and there did they consecrate themselves to God. Sacred 
edifice ! But thou and the greater part of those who wor- 
shiped in thee have passed away. 



26 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



The Present Meeting House. 

As early as iSi8 difficulty arose in regard to the meet- 
ing house. In March, 1819, three months previous to the 
death of Mr. Peabody, the town " Voted to let the Univer- 
salists have the privilege of using the meeting house the 
present year their proportion of Sundays, according to the 
taxation." In March, 1820, "Voted that each denomina- 
tion, viz. : Congregationalists, Universalists, Baptists and 
Methodists, have the liberty to supply the pulpit with a 
teacher of their own persuasion their proportion of Sun- 
days, according to the taxes each denomination pays." 
This vote was repeated from year to year till 1827, when 
it was voted " that the Universalist Society occupy the 
meeting house the fourth Sunday in April next, and the 
fourth Sunday in each of the next seven months." At the 
same time it was " Voted that the Methodists occupy the 
meeting house the third Sunday in every month the year 
ensuing. In 1830, "Voted that the Universalist Society 
occupy the meeting house the fourth Sabbath in every 
month, and the second Sabbath enough to make up their 
proportion. This vote was repeated for several years. 
The occupation of the house by different denominations 
was a serious embarrassment to the church, and one of 
the causes which led to the resignation of Mr. Spofford. 
Less than a month after his resignation, Feb. 19, 1834, 
the Congregational Society of Atkinson was formed. 
Encouraged and aided by Rev. William Cogswell, D. D., 
and Rev. Jesse Page, the Society proceeded to erect the 
following year the present house of worship. It stands 
on land given by Joseph B. Cogswell, Esq., and is forty by 
fifty feet, and was dedicated Oct. 21, 1835. It cost, besides 
the labor given, $1800.00, a little more than one-third of 
which was given by individuals and churches from abroad. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 27 

and the rest raised by the sale of pews, and contributions 
by the church members and citizens. Such a building 
would now cost more than twice the amount.* 



Music. 

It is not appropriate that we close a review of the church 
for a century without a brief notice of the service of song 
which constitutes so important a part of the worship of 
God. During Mr. Peabody's ministry, " Watts' Hymns," 
without "the select," were used, and the "Ancient Har- 
mony," so full of soul stirring music. Favorite tunes of 
Mr. Peabody were Judgment, Old Jordan, New Jerusalem, 
and others. After Mr. Peabody, Watts and Select Hymns 
were used, till the present autumn, when the Sabbath 
Hymn Book was introduced. The first instrumental 
music, as far as remembered, was a violin, then a bass viol, 
so long played by Jesse Dow. The present pipe organ 
was procured in 1866, at a cost of $500. In raising the 
money the people in Atkinson were assisted by friends 
abroad. The small organ for the Sabbath School and so- 
cial meetings was procured in 1869, at a cost of about 
^140, the money being raised by a levee. 

We cannot close without a reference to the influence of 
this church. One hundred years ago, on a rainy day, 
nineteen persons, eleven men and eight women, met 
together at a private house, and feeling their obligation to 
sustain the institutions of the gospel, consecrated them- 
selves to God and his service. Had they been less self- 
denying, or less courageous ; had they said " we will go 
to neighboring towns to worship," how different would 
have been the result ! Literally, scores, who are now in 
heaven, or filling places of usefulness and honor in the 
world, in all probability would not have been converted. 

*For a full statement respecting the parsonage, not completed at the de- 
livery of this address, the reader is referred to appendix B. 



28 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

The more religious part of the community would have 
removed, and irreligion and immorality would have 
flourished on soil now distinguished for intelligence and 
morality. And how great has been its influence upon 
education. Had there been no church in Atkinson, there 
would have been no academy, and had there been no acad- 
emy it is not probable one-fifth of the more than forty 
persons who have entered the learned professions from 
Atkinson would have entered college or practised the 
healing art. And probably not 500 out of the more than 
4000 students who have enjoyed the privileges of educa- 
tion here, and who are exerting a wide influence in the 
world, would have ever enjoyed equal advantages for an 
education. And each one of these will exert an influence 
over others which shall never cease. How great has been 
the influence of this little church ! But what shall be its 
influence for the future .'' Shall it be built up and flourish ? 
Shall the academy continue to exert an elevating and be- 
nign influence during the century to come.'' Our fathers 
did not shrink from responsibility. They consecrated 
themselves and their children to God and relying upon 
divine strength, went forward. And if we imitate their 
example may not even greater results be achieved ? 

Our fathers, where are they .'' Not an individual who 
was present one hundred years ago at the organization of 
this church and ordination of Mr. Peabody is now among 
the living. They have gone. At the end of another cen- 
tury not an individual now present will be living. Others 
will occupy our places. But what shall be our record .-* 
Let us be influenced by the sacred associations which clus- 
ter around this hour, reconsecrate ourselves, our children 
and our possessions to God, and resolve that by his assist- 
ance we will faithfully discharge the duties devolved upon 
us. And may His blessing attend the pilgrim church 
down the ages. 



I 



APPENDIX. 



APPENDIX. 31 



A. 



Memorial Funds. 

The following conditions annexed to his gift by Hon. 
Francis Cogswell, have been copied by subsequent donors : 

* * * "Whereas the said Francis Cogswell 
has on this 17th day of April, A. D. 1871, deposited in the 
Haverhill Savings Bank, in said Haverhill, Mass., the sum 
of $1,000 to the credit of the Deacons of the Congrega- 
tional Church in said Atkinson, as a perpetual deposit in 
trust, on condition that the sum thus deposited is not to 
be removed or withdrawn except by a decree of court or 
other legal proceedings. That the principal sum thus 
deposited is not to be diminished, and that the dividends 
or interest only are to be paid to the order of the Deacons 
for the time being of said church, and expended under its 
direction in the support of preaching and sustaining the 
gospel ministry in said Atkinson. 

Now, therefore, in consideration thereof, we, the under- 
signed, Franklin Gilbert, Bailey Knight and Daniel 
Knight, the Deacons of the Congregational Church in 
Atkinson, N. H., hereby accept said contribution or dona- 
tion in trust, on the conditions annexed thereto, and we 
covenant and agree with said Francis Cogswell, his heirs, 
and executors, and administrators, that we, the said Dea- 
cons, will and that our successors in said office shall, in 
all coming time, permit the said sum of $1,000 to remain 
on deposit in said Haverhill Savings Bank, as a perpetual 
trust, until the same shall be ordered to be removed by 
due process of law. 



32 APPENDIX. 



That the principal sum of $i,ooo shall not be diminished 
by any act of ourselves, or our successors in said office of 
Deacons. 

That the dividends or interest only as received shall be 
faithfully expended in the support of preaching and in 
sustaining the gospel ministry in said Atkinson, under 
the direction of said church. 

That we and our successors in said office of Deacons 
will enter in a book kept for that purpose, the amount of 
said contribution or donation under the name of ' The 
Francis Cogswell Donation for the support of preaching ajid 
sustaining the Gospel nii^iistry in Atkinson, N. H.,' and 
regularly enter all the receipts as income therefrom, and 
all the expenditures made from said income, stating the 
particulars thereof, for which proper vouchers shall be 
taken and filed, which book, accounts and vouchers are to 
be exhibited to the church yearly, at its annual meeting, 
after having been examined and audited by the Standing 
Committee, or some other committee appointed for that 
purpose, and approved, if found to be correct, by the 
church." Signed by the deacons. 

The bequest of Joseph B. Cogswell, Esq., is as follows : 

" I give and bequeath to the Congregational Society in 
Atkinson the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, to be invested 
in good and profitable Stocks and the interest of the same 
shall from time to time be laid out for repairs on the place 
of worship of said Society. 

Provided however if said Society shall ever build a new 
House of Worship on the land where the House now 
stands — the above sum of Five Hundred Dollars may be 
taken and used by the Society to build such new House. 

And I do give a further sum of Five Hundred Dollars to 
said Congregational Society in Atkinson, the interest of 
which shall be annually expended for the support of preach- 
ing the Gospel in said Society." 



APPENDIX. 33- 



B. 

The Parsonage. 
As a necessary step toward securing a pastor, the Ladies' 
Society in the spring of 1871 voted that their funds be 
devoted to a parsonage, and a few months later, determin- 
ed to solicit subscriptions for this object, a nucleus being 
furnished by a conditional gift from William C. Todd, Esq, 
The members of the congregation co-operated in the effort 
with great unanimity and self-sacrifice, and almost all per- 
sons for any reason interested in the welfare of the place, 
added such aid as was in their power, even those families 
to whom the church was already so much indebted. After 
the call of Rev. C. F. Morse, the house was built on seven- 
eighths of an acre of land purchased of Dea. Bailey Knight, 
under the supervision of a committee chosen by the Con- 
gregational Society, consisting of Rev. Jesse Page, Dea. 
Bailey Knight, and James M. Nesmith, an experienced 
builder who personally superintended the work. It is an 
interesting coincidence and significant of "the good hand 
of our God upon us," that the house was occupied by the 
pastor on the first anniversary of the day on which it was 
resolved to attempt a subscription, and the last bill con- 
tracted in its erection paid almost within a year from the 
day its foundations were commenced ; the whole amount 
furnished through the ladies of the congregation in sub- 
scriptions and all other ways being ^3210.07. To esti- 
mate the actual expense of the house as it stands should 
be added the value of blinds and fence otherwise secured, 
and a large amount of gratuitous labor. 



34 APPENDIX. 



This property is conveyed to the Deacons of the Con- 
gregational Church in Atkinson, and " their successors in 
■said office, and assigns forever in trust as follows, viz. : to 
hold and keep the same as a parsonage for the use and 
occupancy of the minister or pastor of said church and 
society, for the time being free of charge or rent, so long 
as said society shall pay or cause to be paid the cost and 
expense of repairs, taxes, insurance and legal assessments 
thereon ; and upon their failure so to do, to collect and 
receive the amounts necessary therefor from rents and 
income for the use and occupation of said estate, and to 
hold and securely invest any and all sums of money 
received by them in connection with this estate, or from 
proceeds of any sale of the same, after deducting the nec- 
essary expenses above recited, for the support and main- 
tenance of the gospel ministry and preaching in said 
Atkinson, the annual interest or income only to be so 
expended ; provided, however, that the said estate shall 
on no consideration be pledged or mortgaged for the pay- 
ment of any sum of money or the performance of any con- 
dition or contract, and shall not be at any time sold or 
conveyed by said trustees without the votes of said 
society and church first had at lawful meetings, called for 
that purpose, concurring in and directing said sale and 
conveyance ; a sale with the assenting votes of said 
society and church as aforesaid, and reinvestment of the 
whole or part of the proceeds in another parsonage estate, 
to be holden in the same manner as is here provided for 
this, and any balance of proceeds invested and held as 
hereinbefore recited, to be deemed a full compliance with 
the terms of this trust." 



APPENDIX. 35 



c. 

Contribution to the Ministry. 

The following persons from the town have become 
preachers of the Gospel: — 

Rev. MOSES DOW, 

Rev. WILLIAM COGSWELL, D.D., 

Rev. NATHANIEL COGSWELL, 

Rev. JESSE PAGE, 

Rev. WILLIAM PAGE, 

Rev. NATHANIEL GROVER, 

Rev. JAMES MARSH HOW DOW, 

Rev. JOHN BADGER MERRILL. 



36 



APPENDIX. 



D. 



Atkinson in the War of the Rebellion. 



The following residents 
of the Rebellion, very few 
nishing so large a number 
tion : — 

JOHN E. AUSTIN, 
MILES M. BOWLES, 
EBENEZER BUCK, 
DAVID O. CLARKE, 
JOSEPH CARLTON, 
WARREN CLOUGH, 
WARREN COWDRY, 
CHARLES DOW, 
JOHN DOW, 
GEORGE P. DOW, 
H. DOW, 

JOHN FOLINSBEE, 
LOREN HEATH, 
GEORGE W. HEATH, 
JACOB HALL, 
IRA HURD, 
WILLIAM HURD, 
FRANK P. IRISON, 
JOHN S. C. KELLY, 
HENRY KELLY, 



of Atkinson served in the War 
towns in New Hampshire fur- 
in proportion to their popula- 

JOHN H. KNIGHT, 
S. BURLY MASON, 
EDMUND F. McNEIL, 
ALONZO McNEIL, 
ARTHUR L. MERRICK, 
MARCUS MERRICK, 
JACOB L. MORSE, 
THOMAS ADDISON NOYES, 
OILMAN NOYES, 
BYRON NOYES, 
CYRUS FRANK NOYES, 
EDWARD F. NOYES, 
ALBE NOYES, 
FREDERICK W. NOYES, 
PERKINS NICHOLS, 
JOHN RYAN, 
CHARLES D. RICHARDS, 
FRANK W. RICHARDS, 
ORRIN S. RICHARDS, 
JOHN H. SMITH. 



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